Big Ten reveals Huskers’ conference schedule, announces men’s tournament format changes

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Big Ten Conference on Thursday announced the conference schedule for the 2025-26 Nebraska men’s basketball season.

The Huskers will open conference play at home for the first time in head coach Fred Hoiberg’s seven seasons.

The 20-game gauntlet starts with two December clashes against NCAA Tournament foes, as Nebraska will take on Wisconsin on Dec. 10 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Nebraska will then head to Illinois to take on the Fighting Illini on Dec. 13.

The Huskers open the new year with one of the biggest home games of the season as defending regular-season champion Michigan State makes its first visit to PBA since 2023.

The matchup with the Spartans on Jan. 2 is one of three home games during the month.

Oregon (Jan. 13) and Washington (Jan. 21) will make their first appearances in PBA as Big Ten foes.

Nebraska will spend a good portion of January on the road with a pair of back-to-back road games.

NU travels to Ohio State (Jan. 5) and Indiana (Jan. 10) early in the month and closes January with trips to Minnesota (Jan. 24) and Michigan (Jan. 27).

The Huskers will also face Northwestern (Jan. 17) on the road during the month, as five of NU’s eight games in January are away from home.

In February, Nebraska will play five of its first seven games at home.

The stretch features a trio of weekend home games against Illinois (Feb. 1), Northwestern (Feb. 14) and Penn State (Feb. 21).

A matchup with Big Ten preseason favorite Purdue (Feb. 10) and Sweet 16 qualifier Maryland (Feb. 25) round out Nebraska’s home games in February.

NU travels to Rutgers (Feb. 7) and Iowa (Feb. 17), marking the first of two matchups with the Hawkeyes in the final six Big Ten contests.

The Huskers close February with its two-game west coast swing against USC (Feb. 28) and UCLA (March 3).

Nebraska will host Iowa in the regular-season finale on March 8.

The conference also made a change to the men’s conference tournament format, marking the first Big Ten tournament to feature and 18-team field.

Today, the formats were announced for the 2026 Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments.

Rick Pizzo and Autumn Johnson share the details pic.twitter.com/LaJYd7pwiQ

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 18, 2025

The tournament will take place at the United Center in Chicago from March 10 through March 15.

Start times and network designations for all Big Ten and non-conference games are expected to be announced later this month.

While the season ticket deadline has passed, mini plans and single-game ticket info will be announced in the coming days, according to the athletic department.

Tickets for the Oct. 18 exhibition game with BYU are on sale now by visiting the Huskers’ website or calling 800-8-BIGRED.

Nebraska’s full schedule is below: